About Lesley
Lesley Kara was born and grew up in Chelmsford, Essex.
On moving to London, she worked as a secretary before completing an English degree and PGCE at Greenwich University.
She then became a lecturer and manager in Further Education.
She is an alumna of the Faber Academy ‘Writing a Novel’ course and now lives in Kent where she writes full-time.
Q&A
What attracts you most about writing in the psychological thriller genre?
When I read a novel, I love being taken aback by unexpected twists and revelations, so to be able to do that myself and surprise readers is a great motivation. It’s also a challenge to come up with fresh ideas and plots when so many have already been written. It keeps my mind nice and busy.
How do you come up with your ideas, and how do you keep track of all the twists and turns as you’re writing?
Ideas are everywhere: snippets I read in the news, things people have told me, experiences that I, or people I know, have had. But most of the time, my novels start with a particular image, or scene, that resonates with me. As far as keeping track of plot twists and turns, I usually plan ahead so that I know the major plot points and can work towards them. In the past, I’ve tried creating massive Excel spreadsheets, but that’s too much like hard work for me and I’m not very good with spreadsheets. I prefer a good old-fashioned Word table and/or handwritten notes. Sometimes I write key scenes on coloured post-it notes and stick them on the wall of my study, so that I can see at a glance the overall pattern of the novel.
How much, if anything, of what you write is based on real life?
It’s inevitable that some of the things I write about are gleaned from my own life or the lives of people I know or have read about. But imagination is key, and by the time they end up on the page, they’ve been transformed into fiction.
You came to writing a little later than many. What got you started?
I’ve been writing on and off for most of my life - it was the getting published part that came later! I loved writing stories at school and all through my twenties and thirties, in between jobs and family commitments, I was trying to write a novel. But it wasn’t until my late forties and a period of ill health, that I finally made the decision to take it more seriously. I applied to the Faber Academy ‘Writing a Novel’ course and a few years after that, I secured an agent when I was runner-up in the Daily Mail/Penguin Random House First Crime Novel Competition.
How did you feel when your first novel was so successful?
I was absolutely delighted. It sounds clichéd to say it was a dream come true, but that’s exactly what it was. Getting a novel published had been my ambition for so long, and now here was my debut in the Sunday Times Top Ten! I could hardly believe it.
How easy (or difficult) do you find the process of writing? Do you have any rituals to help?
When the writing is flowing, it’s the greatest job in the world. But when it’s not, it’s hard and frustrating. It helps that I’m fairly disciplined and I know that if I turn up at my desk each day and keep plugging away, the novel will eventually get written. I don’t really have any rituals, although I like to have a cup of strong coffee and do the crossword with my husband before starting work. I also read my work aloud quite a lot because I find that helps enormously with the rhythm and flow.
Has anyone particularly influenced your writing? Do you have a favourite author?
In terms of crime fiction, Ruth Rendell was probably one of the writers I discovered first. I devoured all her books in turn. But I’ve always read widely and there are so many brilliant writers I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite. As long as it’s a good story and draws me in, or the writing is wonderful and the voice compelling, I’ll read it and be inspired by it.
What do you love most about your job?
When I can see my way through a plot tangle that’s been bothering me, it’s the best feeling in the world. I also love it when readers get in touch and tell me that reading one of my books has got them out of a reading slump. Writing books is a privilege and I feel so lucky that I’m finally doing the job I’ve always wanted to do.
Who is Lesley Kara? Which five words describe you best?
Determination
Writing a novel is a long process and when things don’t go according to plan, it’s easy to lose heart. But writing is what I’ve always wanted to do and so determination has helped keep me going.
Curious
When I was a child, my parents were exasperated by my continual questions. That’s probably why I became a voracious reader. As a writer, I can indulge my curiosity by observing people and situations and doing lots of research on the internet. (This is also known as procrastination!) Sometimes, it’s the little snippets you find out about something that add texture and authenticity to a novel.
Happy
I would say that I’m generally a very happy person. That’s not to say I haven’t experienced periods of sadness and the occasional bout of depression, but on the whole, I feel incredibly fortunate, especially now that I’m doing something I truly love.
Outgoing
Actually, I’m quite an introvert, but as long as I don’t overdo things and maintain a healthy balance between spending time with other people/attending writing events, etc. and having quiet time on my own to reflect and work on my books, I enjoy going out and about, talking about my novels and meeting people. There’s nothing quite like the magic of connecting with an audience.
Optimistic
There’s always lots to worry about in life, both on a personal and global level. But I firmly believe that we can decide to be optimistic about the future. I’m definitely a ‘glass half full’ type of person.